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Directed by |
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Starring |
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Specs |
- Widescreen 1.85:1
- 16:9 Enhanced
- Dual Layer ( )
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Languages |
- English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
- French: Dolby Digital Stereo
- Spanish: Dolby Digital Mono
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Subtitles |
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Extras |
- Deleted scenes
- 2 Theatrical trailer
- Cast/crew biographies
- Production notes
- TV spot
- Documentaries
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Little Shop of Horrors (1986) |
Warner Bros./Warner Home Video .
R4 . COLOR . 94 mins .
M15+ . PAL |
Feature |
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Contract |
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Roger Corman's el-cheapo 1960 mock-horror flick Little Shop of Horrors first spawned a hugely successful off-Broadway musical. Then, 25 years after the Corman epic screened, came its final and probably most famous incarnation - the movie musical. Mushnik's Flower Shop in the worst part of America - Skid Row - becomes the territory of the ravening monstrous plant Audrey Two, named by its discoverer, the totally nerdish florist Seymour Krelborn, after his dumb-blonde co-worker and object of his dreams. Seymour is played by one of the greatest nerds in the business, Rick Moranis, and his co-star as Audrey One is Ellen Greene, who played Audrey for two years on stage. This is a seriously strong cast - coming along for the ride are Steve Martin, Bill Murray, John Belushi and John Candy. Bill Murray appears for a few minutes only as a masochistic lover of all things dental, but just about steals the film in that cameo. The film's director is Frank Oz, who more recently directed a seriously under-rated movie, Bowfinger, but who will always be remembered for his inspired work with Jim Henson as part of the Muppet brigade - his many varied roles there included being the voice of Miss Piggy. Nothing can really top the original Corman effort, but as long as you ignore direct comparison, the musical Little Shop of Horrors is good lightweight, though somewhat immature, fun. It's a film for teenagers which adults can sneakily enjoy as well - it's edging towards minor classic status in the specialist horror-musical market niche.
Video |
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Contract |
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This is a very decent 16.9 anamorphic transfer from a good print. Colour saturation is excellent, and detail is fine with no annoying artefacts and no obvious edge enhancement used. Hue and fleshtones are pleasingly natural. It is not an outstanding effort such as, for instance The Fifth Element, but the overall effect is eminently viewable for a film of this vintage.
Audio |
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Contract |
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The 5.1 Surround Sound gives pleasing depth and warmth to what would originally have been two-channel stereo. Since there is no original two-channel English track here, a direct comparison can't be made, but nothing more is really needed for a film which doesn't really present anything special in the way of sound effects.
Extras |
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Contract |
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Overall |
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Contract |
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This is a good wet afternoon 'hire a movie' DVD. I doubt if it will find a permanent home in too many collections, but it's certainly worth the price of rental. It's lightweight, harmless movie ephemera, notable today mainly for its relatively early look at Steve Martin, Bill Murray, John Candy and company.
LINK: http://www.dvd.net.au/review.cgi?review_id=2187
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And I quote... |
"The musical version of Little Shop of Horrors is lightweight, somewhat immature fun. It's edging towards minor classic status in the specialist horror-musical market niche." - Anthony Clarke |
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Review Equipment |
- DVD Player:
Panasonic A330
- TV:
Loewe Profil Plus 3272 68cm
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